Liu Wei

signed in Chinese and Pinyin and dated 2005, framed

Shanghai Gallery of Art, Shanghai
Acquired by the present owner from the above

China, Shanghai, Shanghai Gallery of Art, Liu Wei's Works on Paper, 2005, pp. 228-229

This set of works is generally in good condition. There are pinholes around the edges. Please note that it was not examined under ultraviolet light and out of its frame.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Liu Wei painted the lot on offer for the Shanghai Gallery of Art's inaugural exhibition, "Liu Wei's Works on Paper from 2005." The year 2005 was one of exploration for the artist. A graduate in printmaking, Liu Wei now combined for the first time woodblock carving and painting into a new medium, creating a series of unique portraits and works focused on human figures. Among them, this group of six works entitled Portrait 2005 No. Two is representative. Liu Wei first carved an image on a woodblock and printed it on rice-paper, and then finished the print by hand with pencil and application of white pigments. Afterwards, Liu made further modifications on the woodblock and on the new resultant prints. Thus, although the six works were printed from the same block of wood, each is unique in both the original printed design and the manual additions. In these trans-media experiments, Liu Wei looks back to traditional Chinese aesthetics and combines it with Western methods of expression to expand the potential of both. Moreover, these works are precious documents of the artist's year-long period of exploration, before his turn to traditional oil painting.